[LIVE UPDATES] SC Hearing On Plea Against Sudarshan TV's 'UPSC Jihad' Show

Justice Chandrachud: Shadan has been putting his hand up with the discipline in a virtual hearing. We should hear him now.

Adv. Shadan Farasat makes three short submissions.

Divan: Regarding criminal sanction, you have held that press does not have a special freedom in this regard. Encouragement of participation of students needs to be looked at. We will look at all of this in our affidavit.

Divan: I have an assurance now that grant me permission to file a clear affidavit on stereotypes which have a tendency to be precieved as hate speech among the viewers. We will submit. Until Monday, I will assist Sudarshan TV.

Divan submits that he will answer the questions on Affidavit. He will be available to Respondent 5 on Monday.

“I respectfully submit that Justice Joseph’s observation on half-truths, but there is the term “lies, damn lies and statistics. As Gautam Bhatia , he might remember”.

SG Mehta: It’s not a question of this government or previous government. We have always wanted marginalised communities to come up.

Justice Chandrachud: We are referring to the policies of the States too.

Justice Joseph: The Government of India wants the Muslim community come up. Not just Muslims, but every backward community. The fact that 50% comprised of people from marginalised communities should have been a matter of joy for our country.

Divan: I fully respect your perception of the programme; you are entitled to it and so is everyone else. But, that does not allow anyone to breach the Code and I have not breached the Code. I will file an Affidavit on this.

Justice Joseph: What kind of attitude are you inculcating with this ? When 4 episodes have already been broadcast ? Will you continue with this rant ? There are other communities also who want to “capture the power”. The bottom line is you’re maligning community.

Justice Joseph: Apart from Muslims, there are Jains. My law clerk is Jain & he went through Code. They want to promote those people in their community. There is nothing wrong with that as they’re marginalised communities. By taking this way, you will drive them into wrong hands.

Justice Joseph: Come to Rule 6(1) and 6(2) which says that cable operators must “strive to carry programme” and this is absolutely binding on you. Come to 6(3) where copyright is protected. Plus, care should be taken. Contrast this with 6(1) which is mandatory.